Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions. This list is by no means exhaustive and should you have other questions or comments we invite you to complete the Quick Contact section to the right or call the Office of Undergraduate Programs at (213) 740-1741 for more information.

About the Global Scholars Program

Is this a scholarship?

No, this is not a scholarship. The Global Scholar designation is an academic honor, awarded upon graduation to students who meet the criteria. The ten Global Scholar Prizes awarded to students each year are for the purpose of post-baccalaureate study. Prize recipients must show evidence of enrollment in a graduate program of study. Students have up to five years after completing the Bachelor’s degree to request disbursement of the Prize.

Can graduate students apply for the Global Scholar designation?

No. Only undergraduates who are enrolled in an undergraduate major may apply for the Global Scholar designation.

Can I submit my capstone project in a discipline other than my major?

Yes, in principle you may submit in any discipline. However, in order to qualify, a submission outside the major should be comparable in scope and substance to a capstone project within the other discipline. Ideally, non-major submissions should be linked to a declared minor or honors program.

Whom do I contact for more information?

You may contact the Office of Undergraduate Programs at (213) 740-1741 or ugp@usc.edu for more information. You can also follow us on Twitter @USC_Ugrad for more information and deadline reminders.

Eligibility and the Project Submission Process

What does it take to be designated as a Global Scholar?

A detailed description of how to become a Global Scholar can be found on our Become a Scholar page. In short, to become a Global Scholar, students must have spent a minimum of ten weeks abroad as part of their undergraduate experience. Global Scholars applicants are expected to complete a capstone paper, project, or research paper and a reflective essay about their international experience. Eligible students must graduate in no more than five years at USC with a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average.

When can I apply for the Global Scholar designation and for the $10,000 prize?

You may apply for the Global Scholar designation during the spring semester of your final year at the University. Applicants have the option of submitting an Intent to Submit form online by early February to declare their interest in applying for the Global Scholars designation. If this form is not submitted it will not disqualify a student from the Prize Competition but students are encouraged to submit the form so their respective Schools can prepare accordingly for the anticipated number of submissions.

All applicants interested in being eligible for both the Global Scholars designation and the Prize Competition must submit their materials by the Primary Project Submission Deadline. This process is only live from January to March each year. The Primary Project Submission Deadline is midnight on the Monday following Spring Break. December graduates should plan on completing this step after their degree completion. Spring or Summer graduates should plan on completing this step during their final Spring semester at USC.

Following the submission deadline, the Office of Undergraduate Programs will then distribute submission materials to the respective schools. Each school will nominate a short-list of Prize Competition Finalists from the roster of Global Scholar candidates within that school. A university panel will then select the Prize Awardees from the list of Prize Competition Finalists.

Students not interested in being eligible for the Prize Competition can complete their project submission any day prior to the Last Day of Classes in the Spring semester of their final year at USC.

If I graduate in the fall semester, can I apply for the Global Scholar designation and prize competition to be awarded the May before I graduate?

No. If you graduate in the fall semester, you must apply for the Global Scholar designation and prize competition to be awarded in the Spring after your graduation. Be sure to keep apprised of and comply with all of the deadline requirements and updates that are published on the Global Scholars website for the appropriate term in order to ensure your eligibility.

What is the Global Scholar Prize Selection Committee looking for from submitted projects or essays?

The Global Scholar Prize Committee is composed of faculty members from departments across campus. They have compiled their suggestions and expectations here to help you compile a cohesive and complete project submission.

My Global Scholar project is research-based in nature; can I submit the same project for Discovery Scholars consideration?

No, to earn both the Global Scholar and Discovery Scholar designations, you must submit two completely separate projects for consideration.

If you submit the same project for both programs, your school will certify you for just one of the designations based on which program criteria (if any) best fits your submitted work.

School Contacts and Criteria

Whom do I contact if I have questions about the capstone criteria for my school?

Annenberg School for Communication and JournalismCynthia A. Martinez, Director of Advisement and Academic ServicesDavis School of GerontologyMaria Henke, Associate DeanAaron Hagedorn, Clinical Assistant ProfessorDornsife College of Letters, Arts & SciencesDanika Newlee, Program AdvisorKeck School of MedicineElahe Nezami, Associate Dean and Director for Undergraduate Studies in Health PromotionStephen Perry, Academic AdvisorMarshall School of Business and Leventhal School of AccountingKim West, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs Price School of Public PolicyNam Ung, Undergraduate Program AdministratorRoski School of Art and DesignPenelope Jones, Assistant Dean of Student Services Thornton School of MusicPhilip Placenti, Associate Dean, Admission and Financial AidUSC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational TherapyHelen Mirsaeidi, Program AdvisorUSC School of ArchitectureHadrian Predock, Director of Undergraduate Studies and Professor USC School of Cinematic ArtsKatie Alvarez, Program AdvisorUSC School of Dramatic ArtsDaniel Leyva, Academic Advisor Viterbi School of EngineeringLouise Yates, Senior Associate Dean, Admissions and Student Affairs

Prize Competition

When will I know if I have been nominated as a Prize Competition Finalist?

The deadline for schools to submit Prize Competition Finalist nominations to the Office of Undergraduate Programs is at the beginning of April. You will be notified whether you are a Prize Competition Finalist during the following weeks.

When does the selection of Prize Awardees take place?

A university-wide panel will select the Prize Awardees in time for announcement approximately two weeks before commencement.

I plan to take time off to do something else before graduate school, such as a job, or the Peace Corps. Do immediate post-graduation plans have to be concrete, or can the prize be deferred?

Your immediate plans do not have to be concrete. Once your undergraduate degree has been awarded, you have up to five years to request disbursement of your prize. Global Scholar prize recipients must demonstrate evidence of enrollment in a graduate program in order to receive the prize amount.

May I earn the Global Scholar, Discovery Scholar and Renaissance Scholar designations?

Yes, if you meet each set of program requirements you may earn two or even all three designations. However, to earn both the Global Scholar and Discovery Scholar designations, you must submit two completely separate projects for consideration.

In addition, you may be considered for each program’s Prize Competition; however, no student will be awarded more than one prize.

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